Page 540 Advertisements Column 1

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XVIII, 1 May 1897, Page 540

WOMAN’S PNYBIQUL

In a recent lecture at the Academy of National Sciences of Philadelphia, Professor A. B. Brubaker, discussing the subject of * Physical Development,’ said :— * Professor Gottfried Schadow, of the Royal Academy of Arts in Berlin has given to the world, in his figure of an artistically formed woman, the following measurements Height inches, breadth of neck inches, shoulders 15 inches, waist 9 inches, hips 13J4 inches. * Long before Professor Schadow’s time an unxnown artist created the statue the Venus de Medici, the world’s ideal of perfection in the female figure, on these measurements ;—Height 63 inches, breadth of neck 4 inches, shoulders 16 inches, waist 9’4 inches; hips 13 inches. * Professor Sargeant, with several thousand tabulated life measurements in hand, produced a composite figure of the young American girl with these measurements : Height inches, breadth of neck 3'B inches, girth of neck 12 1 inches, breadth of shoulders 14'7 inches, breadth of waist B'6 inches, girth of waist 24'6 inches, breadth of hip 13'1 inches, girth of hips 33*4 inches, girth of calf, 13-3 inches, girth of upper arm io'i inches, girth of thigh 21-4 inches, and forearm 9'2 inches. * Miss Anna Wood has given measurements closely similar to those of Professor Sargeant in her composite figure of the Wellesley College girl, being averaged from the measurements of over 2.000 young women. * Given the height, proportion and weight of an average physique for the man and woman, what should be the attitude or posture of such an individual, especially when standing ? By posture is meant a position of equilibrium of the body which can be maintained for some time, such as standing, sitting or lying. ‘ For the maintenance of the erect posture the following conditions must be realized : (1) The corresponding halves of the body must be in the same anatomical relation. (2) The centre of gravity of the whole body must fall just in front of the last lumbar vertebra. That the first of these two conditions may be realized there must be a well-developed and symmetrical skeleton and a corresponding symmetrical development of the muscles of the two sides of the body. That the second condition may be realized, there must be such a development of the extensor muscles on the back of the body as will be sufficient to antagonize the flexor muscles on the front of the body. These conditions are not always realized, and hence certain physical defects are observable, such as obliquity of the head, elevation or depression of the shoulder, curvature of the spine and so forth. ‘ Among the defects which interfere with proper stature and proportions may be mentioned knock knees, bow legs and pigeon toes. * Knock knees occur in childhood or at puberty, and are generally associated with rickets and due to a want of muscular or bony strength. Owing to the width of the'pelvis, the thigh bones are inclined inward. This determines the direction of the deformity. There is a disproportion between the weight of the body and the strength of the muscles. In consequence the inner condyle of the thigh bone grows down and inward, and throws the lower leg outward. ‘ Bow legs are also associated with rickets and want of strength in muscles and bones. In this condition the natural curve of the bone is exaggerated and the legs bend outward. ‘ Pigeon toes are a term applied to the in ward direction of the foot, dependent on insufficient development of the muscles which should turn the foot outward. This is a condition observed in monkeys and very young children. ‘ In addition to the above-mentioned deformities relating to the trunk and limbs, there are others found in both men and women, especially in the latter, however, which relate to changes in the shape of the thorax, caused by undue compression or restriction. ‘lt is difficult to understand why this construction should have been indulged in through the ages. There is an idea, however, that it confers on the individual an artistic effect. The Greek woman of the decadent period suggested the methods and objects. It was adopted by the Romans at the beginning of the Empire. During the middle ages it died out, to be revived in the tweltth century.’

The April number of the Pall Mall Magazine does not fall beneath the mark of its excellent predecessors, and offers literary and artistic satisfaction to the varied tastes of its very large army of readers. The English show place, beautifully illustrated in this month’s issue, is Levens Hall in the North Country. The sport of the month, dealt genially with by the Hon. T. W. Tegh, M.P., is ‘Trout Fishing.’ There are several good articles on interesting subjects, and several good short stories, one more notable than the others entitled ‘ The Strange Adventure of Joan Archer.’ There is the continuation ofR. L. Stevenson's extremely attractive story ‘ St. Ives,’ also the continuation of ‘ The Story of 1812,’ and the article entitled, ‘The Major Tactics of Chessj Mr Quiller Couch treats us to an amusing instalment of light verses and talk upon many things from his ‘ Cornish Window.’ The illustrations are all of an attractive order. The April number of the Review of Reviews is to hand. Among the leading features is the third article by Mr Stead on Her Majesty the Queen. It is entitled, • The Queen as Editor of the Realm,’ and is interestingly written and profusely illustrated. Mr W. H. Fitchett continues his • Fights for the Flag,’ his subject this month being George 11. at Dettingen. Readers who have not seen Nansen’s ‘ Farthest North ’ will find an interesting review of the famous voyage. Among subjects more particularly Australasian are an article on ‘ Musical Taste in Queensland,’ and another on • The Federal Convention at Work.’

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